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  Glasgow: England is moving closer to becoming one of the first countries in the world to achieve the goal of eliminating hepatitis C, a viral infection that primarily affects the liver. According to the National Health Service (NHS), significant progress has been made in diagnosing and treating people living with the disease. So far, around 80 percent of known hepatitis C patients have successfully completed treatment, while deaths associated with the disease have fallen by 36 percent over the past decade. Health authorities say the progress is the result of increased testing, early diagnosis and wider access to treatment. Several initiatives have been introduced to identify people who may have hepatitis C without knowing that they are infected. Among these measures are blood testing in emergency departments, screening when patients register with general practitioners (GPs), and the provision of free home testing kits. These programmes have helped health authorities identify thousands of people who were previously unaware that they had the infection. Following diagnosis, patients have been referred for treatment, allowing many to receive medical care before the disease could cause more serious liver damage. Official figures show that more than 100,000 people have been diagnosed and treated for hepatitis C in England since 2015. Health experts say this represents a major step forward in the country’s efforts to eliminate the disease as a public health threat. Hepatitis C is caused by a virus that can lead to long-term liver damage if it remains untreated. In some cases, chronic infection can result in serious complications, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. However, advances in medical treatment have significantly improved the chances of recovery. Experts say modern antiviral medicines have transformed the treatment of hepatitis C. Patients generally take direct-acting antiviral medicines for between eight and 12 weeks. These treatments are highly effective, with approximately 95 percent of patients able to achieve a complete cure. The availability of effective treatment has also strengthened England’s ability to meet international targets for hepatitis C elimination. Health officials believe that combining widespread testing with rapid access to treatment can help identify remaining cases and prevent further transmission. The NHS has emphasized that finding people who have the virus but do not know they are infected remains an important part of the elimination strategy. Because hepatitis C can sometimes remain without noticeable symptoms for years, individuals may not seek medical attention until significant liver damage has already occurred. Routine and targeted screening therefore plays an important role in identifying cases at an earlier stage. The decline in deaths over the past 10 years is another indication of the progress made against the disease. A 36 percent reduction in hepatitis C-related deaths suggests that improved diagnosis and access to effective treatment are helping reduce the most serious consequences of the infection. With more than 100,000 people diagnosed and treated since 2015, and around 80 percent of known patients successfully treated, England is now considerably closer to its hepatitis C elimination target. Health experts say continued testing, early diagnosis, treatment and public awareness will be essential to maintain this progress. With modern medicines capable of curing around 95 percent of patients within a relatively short treatment period, England is increasingly well placed to become one of the countries leading global efforts to eliminate hepatitis C as a major public health concern.